Join the Montana Grizzlies football team and the rest of Griz Nation while supporting local children when the fifth annual Griz for Kids Toy Drive kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at The Bookstore at The University of Montana.
Coach Bobby Hauck talks about the importance of helping children in this time of need.
Levi Horn discusses his motivation for participating in the Griz for Kids Toy Drive.
All-American Marc Mariani talks about giving back to the community.
Head coach Bobby Hauck, Monte and several members of the Montana Grizzly football team will be on hand until 8 p.m. to greet fans and help collect new, unwrapped children’s toys and logo wear. The bookstore will offer a 20 percent discount on all Griz logo merchandise. The players and Monte also will autograph purchases for the public.
Senior wide receiver Marc Mariani and senior offensive tackle Levi Horn, co-chairs of this year’s toy drive, will attend the event.
“The holiday season is a time for giving and generosity,” Mariani said. “Griz football gets so much support from the community, and I’m honored to get the word out about an event that brings so much joy to many families in our community.”
Mariani and Horn said they hope to collect more Griz for Kids donations than ever before, especially in a year when difficult economic times are likely to hurt more families.
"My whole life I have personally been affected by these toy drives," Horn said. "I have seen the happiness they bring because my mother volunteered for the local toy drives in Spokane. The Griz are asking the best fans in football to help support our community and help those in need this holiday season."
Toys will go to Mountain Home Montana, Head Start, Early Head Start, the Missoula Indian Center, Youth Homes Inc., Watson Children’s Shelter, Big Brothers Big Sisters, YMCA and WORD.
Sponsors of the event include UM and the Montana Grizzlies in partnership with Max Media, ABC 23 and Missoula Federal Credit Union. The event is held in conjunction with 102.5 Mountain FM’s Mountain of Giving Toy Drive.
For more information, call University Relations at 406-243-4853.